I've heard, from a friend, that a Hitachi Magic Wand can also be used not only to relieve neck tension but also help with a clogged-up nose. The vibrating head would be placed on either side of the nose to help shake loose whatever's creating the blockage if blowing your nose doesn't help.

I'll tell you I sure gave that friend a strange look when she brought this up at dinner.

Don't do this with powerful vibrators around your throat. Vibrating your thyroid glands is a bad idea. The last thing you want is a rush of body chemistry-altering hormones farking with your blood pressure and temperature regulation.

To be honest, thinking about this article while listening to Christine's part in the Phantom of the Opera (ascending arias juxtaposed with Phantom's "sing for me" lines) makes one burst into uncontrollable laughter.

I hope I'm wrong - but all I can think is that the guy has a fetish and is using his position of authority to make it happen.

'Hey, you have a great voice, but you know what really helps? This sex toy! No, no, no, I don't mean anything INAPPROPRIATE, here let me show you how it works. Okay? I'll just turn it on for you and I'll show you how to use it. Just press it up against your throat like this - okay? Yeah - that's it. Now move it around a bit, yeah - just like that. Relax, Let it loosen up everything. There. Now, try singing that line again. OH WOW - did you hear that? Much better! This technique really works!'

Then he inserts the mental image of what else his students will be using with the knowledge he's given them.

It has all the signs of b.s....

No actual evidence that it works. Just people who 'swear by it'Specific information to make it sound scientific...but no justification. He says he tested lots of devices and settled on ones that operate with a frequency of 100-120 because it is 'pretty close' to the range of the human voice. WHAT?! Seriously?